April 24, 2024 (EIRNS)—A survey by Credit Suisse showed that 75% of Swiss companies answered that “it is in the interest of our firm that Switzerland keeps its neutrality.” Swiss neutrality has been jeopardized by the recent endorsement of EU sanctions against Russia and its full restoration is now demanded by an initiative for a popular referendum launched by the SVP.
But even if the initiative to regain endangered neutrality is successful, this won’t be enough to protect Swiss interests as in the past. Whereas during the Cold War, Swiss companies could develop relations with nations in both camps protected by international law, the replacement of the latter with the so-called “rules-based order” can endanger their activities even under the status of neutrality.
Historian Pierre-Yves Donzé told the NZZ Neue Zürcher Zeitung that the current situation is comparable with the Cold War: “The Cold War meant a multiplication of risks. Along with protectionism and danger of war like in the period between the Two World Wars, we had authoritarianism in many countries, de-colonization, coup-detats, anti-Western sentiment, nationalism and violation of international law. While during the Cold War, being a small country helped Switzerland, Neutrality, Good Services and Humanitarian Aid were also important for Swiss companies. Today Switzerland makes a profit from being a rich and economically innovative country.”
